Liberty Media, the North American company with a significant presence in Formula 1, has taken control of 84% of Dorna, the organization managing MotoGP. This acquisition has set off a wave of controversy within the MotoGP community, as Liberty Media has initiated moves that many see as rewriting the sport’s history, leading to intense backlash from riders, fans, and former champions. The unfolding Liberty Media MotoGP controversy centers on changes that appear to diminish the importance of the sport’s roots and its developmental classes.
Major Reorganization Marginalizes Moto2 and Moto3
Following recent events at Montmelò and Misano, Liberty Media has pursued a marketing strategy that prioritizes MotoGP at the expense of Moto2 and Moto3. These lower-tier categories, historically crucial for nurturing future racing stars, have been downsized drastically. Teams competing in Moto2 and Moto3 now operate from makeshift tents, forced to make way for the flashier setups of the premier class. Broadcasting guidelines have shifted focus almost exclusively to MotoGP, overshadowing the vital feeder championships that helped form MotoGP’s heritage.
Historic Titles from Smaller Classes Removed from Official Records
A particularly extraordinary development is Liberty Media’s decision to no longer recognize world titles won outside the 500cc/MotoGP class in the official records. This change drastically alters the legacy of some of motorcycling’s most celebrated figures. For instance, Marc Marquez, positioned to win his ninth world championship, will officially be credited with only seven. Valentino Rossi’s celebrated nine titles shrink to seven in the new count, while Giacomo Agostini’s revered record of 15 championships is nearly halved. Similarly, Angel Nieto’s celebrated tally has been erased from the official story, effectively sidelining these icons’ contributions.
Effort to Focus Solely on Premier Class Draws Sharp Criticism
The strategy behind these contentious measures is clear: Liberty Media aims to spotlight MotoGP above all else, relegating the smaller classes to obscurity. Since the 1950s, the support classes—Moto2, Moto3, and their predecessors like 125cc, 250cc, and 350cc—have served as foundational platforms where champions are forged. By excluding titles from these divisions, Liberty Media’s policy undermines the legacy of these essential chapters of motorcycle racing history.
Community Response to Liberty Media’s Revisions
The reaction within the paddock has been intense and immediate. Current and former riders have voiced strong opposition to what they view as a deliberate erasure of MotoGP’s heritage. Many have condemned the actions as an attack on the very memory of the sport. One rider captured this sentiment succinctly:
“History is not meant to be rewritten by owners.”
The fans, too, feel betrayed as MotoGP’s rich tradition is being overshadowed by a new era focused more on spectacle than on honoring the sport’s past.
The Future of MotoGP Amidst Ongoing Conflict
Liberty Media’s moves risk alienating a devoted audience by prioritizing a global entertainment model over the sport’s deeply rooted traditions. This schism threatens to fracture the community that has made MotoGP a phenomenon in international sports. The full impact of the Liberty Media MotoGP controversy is yet to unfold, but it is clear that the struggle over the sport’s identity and historical legacy is accelerating. Whether the tactics will succeed in reshaping MotoGP, or if resistance from fans, riders, and legends will preserve its heritage, remains uncertain.
As this debate continues, the passion surrounding MotoGP shows no sign of fading. The roar of the engines, along with calls to protect the sport’s history, signal that this conflict is far from over.
